The Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar has reminded the people from outside the state against being cheated by individuals who claim that the Johor State Awards can be bought at a price.

He said that the state honours were very valuable and no one could nominate any name except with his personal consent.

"But if there are people who are still willing to be cheated, it's up to them, don't blame me," he said at the investiture ceremony for 102 recipients in conjunction with his birthday anniversary at Istana Besar, today.

Sultan Ibrahim said the awards were conferred based on the individual's merit and loyalty to the Ruler and the Johor state government.

Meanwhile, he hoped the Johor Emblems, Titles and Awards (Prevention of Improper Use) Enactment 2017, which was approved at the Johor State Legislative Sitting recently, could be implemented immediately.

This was to curb the abuse of the state emblem by irresponsible groups to deceive the people.

At the same time, the Sultan hoped that with the existence of the regulation, there would no longer be any case of cheating involving the emblem and awards.

This was because the emblem was a symbol of the state's sovereignty which must be protected instead of being abused and sold at will, he said.

Sultan Ibrahim explained that anyone making, selling, using or displaying prohibited symbols such as the Johor coat of arms or the crown, subsequently, would be penalised or fined a minimum of RM250,000 or face a year's imprisonment.

"Similarly for those individuals using titles or awards which they are not entitled to or had been revoked, they would also face a minimum fine of RM100,000 or one year's imprisonment," the Ruler said.

On another issue, the Sultan called on the media to be more responsible in conveying news based on facts instead of based on rumour or stories viralled in the social media.

Sultan Ibrahim said he was making the call because there were times when the media liked to exaggerate sensational stories or pit one leader against another to attract readers' attention for profit.

"This only creates confusion or hatred among the people which will eventually lead to social disunity," he added. - BERNAMA